Discussion

8 days of Paris eating needed for 60 yr. old foodie

I'm going to Paris next Friday for 8 days (after a 5 year hiatus), which is why I've scoured this board for ideas. Unfortunately, I'm so obsessed with eating at the "right" places for lunch/dinner that I'm not sure which places to zero in on. I don't want to spend my time trying places that are touristy or run-of-the-mill (or a zillion euros) - but I do want to eat fresh, delicious food (of course I do - I'm an obsessed foodie) that will make me want to come back for more.

We've been to Le Comptoir many times and love it for either lunch or dinner. The tray of cheeses they bring out at the end of dinner is impressive. Be sure to book ahead as they fill up quickly and give first priority to people staying at the hotel - which is a great as well. Although it's not cheap, we feel that it's a great value. Excellent food and service for a price that is correct for what you get.

During our last trip to Paris (June 07-sigh) we had some fabulous meals. We generally have a latish breakfast and then just dinner so we ate at these places for dinner. These are snippets from from journal.Spring is a small (16-17) seat restaurant run by an American. It is also a fixed menu served to everyone at the same time. We had heard wonderful things about it but one of the last things we read wasn’t that good. It was fabulous though and we had a great time. The kitchen is open so you can see the chef, Daniel Rose, make and serve your dinner. If you are very interested in watching I would suggest you ask for what is known as ‘the ledge’ table. Also since it is very small please be considerate if you can’t make the reservation call and cancel. Spring- 28 rue de la Tour d’Auvergne 01 45 96 05 72 Metro-Pigalle

I am not sure how I heard about Le Baratin but I had heard it was a place that people don’t want to become known. It is also a small place which was full. It also was one of the few places that turned the tables. When we left at 10:30 people were waiting to be seated. The menu is written on a chalk board. Entrées were around 12€ and plats were around 20 €. Everything we saw go by looked wonderful. It isn’t a fancy place-more a down home kind of restaurant with a resident cat twining around your legs. Le Baratin 3 rue Jouye Rouve 01 43 49 39 70 Metro-Pyrénées or Belleville (I had heard that this place was halfway up Belleville hill. So we took the metro to Pyrénées and walked down the hill to dinner and then after dinner walked the rest of the way down the hill to the Belleville stop.)

We usually stay at the Relais Saint Germain so getting into Le Comptoir isn't a problem. We have enjoyed it for both lunch and dinner. For lunch either get there right before it opens or mid afternoon. From 12-1 it is usually full. Also ask at lunch if they have any opening for dinner that week.

Thanks, bazboussa and AGM Cape Cod for your recommendations. I read about Spring (the reviews were mixed, but the chef sounded interesting to me - so I checked out his website). I haven't heard of Le Baratin, but Zagat (Paris) gave it a great little review - so off to Belleville (but not on a bike - like in the movie) I'll trek.

I'm still working on fine-tuning my list of eateries. Any more suggestions would be more than welcome, believe me. I'm such an obsessive worrywort. All I do is worry about where the next meal is coming from - so sad, but so true.